12 Jun 2018
When discussing hygiene issues relating to hospitals and other healthcare environments there is a very high level of challenges facing these organisations specific to cleaning.
The sheer size of some healthcare estates can seem an
overwhelming task for cleaning professionals, and coupled with the fact that
certain areas have their own individual and specific cleaning requirements,
means using the right tools for the job is paramount.
Daniel Cross, Marketing lead at Vaclensa, says “regardless
of your environment, whether you are cleaning the changing room of a fashion
retail store or a corridor in a hotel, we all want to achieve the best possible
result. But when it comes to an
environment such as a hospital, you are cleaning to prevent the spread of
infection and bacteria, as well as for aesthetics.”
The use of hand sanitizer by staff and visitors as they
enter and leave a ward has had a huge impact on reducing healthcare associated
infections (HCAI’s) but as Daniel points out, “aside from using your hands to
open doors, the second most used surface we all encounter is the floor.”
“A bed being rushed from the ambulance through A&E may
well have a badly injured patient losing blood onto the floor. And while I'm sure someone would rush out
with a mop and bucket to wipe it away, that may not always be enough and the
cleanliness of the floors can affect patients returning from surgery.”
Daniel, who was invited to deliver a talk on effective
cleaning within healthcare environments at the IHEEM Healthcare Estates
exhibition at Manchester Central in October 2017, comments “just because a
floor is nice and shiny and has been buffed and polished doesn't mean it's
clean.”
Within almost every building there is a mixture of floor
types. Carpeted areas, tiled bathroom
and shower areas, granite, linoleum, and areas of concrete that require
cleaning. Time and cost come into focus
when you consider you may need a vacuum cleaner for the staff room, then a
scrubber dryer for the wards, then a steam cleaner for the kitchen area.
With the above in mind, Daniel says “costs can be reduced by
working with a supplier such as Vaclensa which is essentially a ‘one-stop shop’
for all your products, service and training”.
The benefits of a properly and effectively cleaned
environment are many for the healthcare industry. By reducing the HCAI’s you reduce the chances
of patients being admitted for longer than required, reducing the overall
budget spend and allowing the next patient waiting to be given a bed and the
treatment they need.
In turn a clean environment can result in a better
inspection visit from both official bodies like the Care Quality Commission,
and from PEAT assessments conducted by end users which are then taken into
consideration by the CQC.
Vaclensa are currently an approved framework supplier for the
NHS and offer products in every category, ensuring your environment, privately
owned facilities, internal team or contract cleaning team are fully equipment
with the tools and training to successfully complete the cleaning tasks at
hand.
Vaclensa Ltd.
Website
T: 0161 728 1800
Vaclensa Ltd
Unit C5
Leadbeaters Lane
BL5 1FL
Bolton, Greater Manchester
United Kingdom